A union has suspended strike action after college management agreed to hold an inquiry into the sacking of two teachers.

The strike called at Sir George Monoux College in Chingford Road, Walthamstow, was over claims teachers Flor Thompson, a health and safety representative, and Diana George were wrongly sacked last year.

The National Union of Teachers (NUT) had previously announced there will be walkouts by its members every Wednesday until the end of the summer term.

A further three-day strike was planned between August 25 and 27, during the college’s enrolment week until both long-serving teachers were reinstated or offered a financial settlement.

This has been suspended after management agreed to hold a independent inquiry into the sackings with a ACAS investigator.

The investigator will listen to evidence, submitted anonymously, as to whether the two reps were treated differently because they were members of the NUT.

The suspension of the strike was agreed during a lunchtime meeting on Tuesday (June 30).

Waltham Forest NUT secretary, Steve White, said: “This represents a shift in attitude by Alan Wells, the Chair of the Corporation. We believe this has come about because of the increased strike action taken by NUT members at the college.

“The independent inquiry should reveal the truth about the treatment of the two NUT reps. But the sticking point may be if the corporation refuses to act upon the recommendations.”

Alan Wells, Chair of the Corporation of Sir George Monoux College, maintains any inquiry is unlikely to take place before the end of August but is happy to improve relations with the union going forward.

He said: "We are pleased the strike action has been suspended because it was damaging to our students.

"We are also happy that the NUT have agreed to drop their demand for a financial settlement for the two teachers as we have always said we would not spend money paying people off."